Oud Perfumes Might Smell Bad Initially, But Here's Why This ... - IDiva

HomeBeautySkincareUpdated: Jan 09, 2020, 15:00 UTCOud Perfumes Stink In The Beginning But Here's Why You Should Still Try OneStuti Bhattacharya Follow UsStuti BhattacharyaBeauty Editor

Specialty: Photography, makeup, skincare, and perfumes

Qualification: PG Diploma, Radio and TV Journalism from IP College For Women, Indian Institute Of Mass Communication

Experience: 8 Years

Stuti is an English Lit graduate who studied Radio & TV Journalism while pursuing photography. A perfume enthusiast, she enjoys pop-culture commentary. Her dream is to live in a world where beauty is a choice, not a necessity for social acceptance. Know MoreI Diva

The first whiff of Tom Ford’s Oud Wood seems nasty and sweaty to most who smell the bottle’s nozzle or spray it onto a paper card. However, if you can overcome your initial disgust and have the courage to spray it on your skin, you can smell its evolution into something entirely different. That is the beauty of good quality Oud scents.

Wait, what is Oud?

Divisive as perfume notes can be, Oud or Oudh, traditionally, is a resinous, dense oil which is formed when the Agarwood tree is attacked by a specific kind of mould and produces resin after getting diseased. The older the tree, the more expensive the oil, and per some, more expensive than gold. However, the catch is, not all trees infected by this fungus produce Oud, making it very rare.

A smoky, woody, and slightly animalic note, Oud is hugely popular in the Middle East and in India, and has a mythic reputation. But the stories aren’t the only mysterious thing about natural Oud. The way it behaves on everyone’s skin is equally unique.

Why does Oud smell “bad” in the beginning?

Oud is fabled as a healing, magical oil, yet to many, it smells nasty. Some people say Indian Oud smells “fecal,” while others say Oud perfumes smell “animalic” and dirty. Interestingly, this chemical which gives jasmine it’s “aphrodisiac” and “animalic” smell, called indole, is also present in human feces. However, neroli and jasmine have small amounts of indole whereas poop is teeming with it.

While Oud may not necessarily have indole in it, it does have a fecal smell, and can smell like literal shit to many. That is why it is often combined with musky or animalic notes, which also smell like dirty bodily excretions.

How come Oud perfumes smell different on the skin after a while?

Our body chemistry makes perfume notes smell very different on each of us. But with Oud, this is amplified. Naturally-derived Ouds are not synthetic compounds, and are therefore changeable. Since Ouds, like musk, are the result of reactions in a living organism, it changes when it comes in contact with skin.

Your body’s pheromones, heat, skin’s natural oils, and sweat react with Oud, and hence smell very different. For instance, Oud retains its original character on drier skin, since such skin secretes less oil to dilute the intensity of the perfume. This also means it changes and evolves to amplify its sweetness more on oily skin, on which certain aspects of the Oud note bloom more! Isn’t that fascinating?

Why you should try an Oud perfume

There’s a reason Oud is so popular despite being so complex. It is one of the most long-lasting perfume notes. Sweet, smoky, sexily earthy, Oud is all about depth. For special occasions, especially an evening soiree in the cold winter, Oud is the perfect fragrance to opt for. Once you get accustomed to the velvety spiciness of Oud, it’s hard to go back.

For example, Fragrance Du Bois’ sustainably sourced Oud works beautifully in the sweet Oud Jaune Intense.

Then, Tom Ford’s smoky and woody Oud Wood is a sexy blend that is hugely popular despite the high price tag.

If you want something more budget-friendly, Sugandhco’s Hasrat-E-Oudh is the perfect spicy-Oriental scent to begin your Oud experience with.

Image Credits: Scentido, Sephora, Unsplash, Pexels, Stuti Bhattacharya 

Read iDiva for the latest in Bollywood, fashion looks, beauty and lifestyle news.

Stuti BhattacharyaBeauty Editor

Specialty: Photography, makeup, skincare, and perfumes

Qualification: PG Diploma, Radio and TV Journalism from IP College For Women, Indian Institute Of Mass Communication

Experience: 8 Years

Stuti is an English Lit graduate who studied Radio & TV Journalism while pursuing photography. A perfume enthusiast, she enjoys pop-culture commentary. Her dream is to live in a world where beauty is a choice, not a necessity for social acceptance. Know More

Trending

Related Stories

STORIES

Feb 06, 20268 Daily Beauty Hacks Every Working Woman Should Know in 2026Dec 23, 2025A Slow Living Sanctuary In The Scenic South Of GoaNov 27, 2025The ‘Going-Out’ Top: Halter Neck & Sequins From The ‘00s Trend Nov 26, 2025How To Wear Banarasi Sarees In The Most Unexpected WaysNov 22, 20256 Reasons Sleep Tourism Trend Is Blowing Up Among Busy Millennials

Here's what people are reading

Related Stories

© 2009 - 2026 Editorji Technologies Pvt Ltd | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED